How Developing Self-Awareness Can Minimize Suffering (Dedicated to Frida Kahlow) by Devi Nina Bingham

You have a propensity to prepare and save for a rainy day since the day may come when reserves may be required. It is not a bad idea to be ready for the worst. Will you, however, allow me to warn you to balance enjoying life with making preparations for the future? When you have finally gathered the necessities, it is time to stop worrying about what lies ahead and what could happen to you as no matter how well you prepare, the weather probably will take a turn you did not expect. After that, who can you trust? Nobody needs to be your reliance since everyone is busy with their own concerns. In an emergency, it will be every man for himself. Therefore, shouldn't you stress and worry because you will ultimately have to rely only upon yourself? One day you may have to depend upon God to provide for you. Yet you dismiss, "Do you expect me to believe that manna is going to rain down from Heaven to feed me?" Yes, I am stating just that. You see, even though believers are instructed to accept the Bible literally, a large portion of it is made up tales and parables.Indeed, the Bible is a historical record because historians of the time attested to the fact that Jesus was a genuine person who walked the earth just like you and I. However, it is also a text that provides teachings.

The Israelites' desert wanderings are described in the Bible as one of its teachings. For their sustenance, God sent manna from heaven. Regardless of your opinion of the verifiability of this manna, the lesson it teaches is applicable today. You should be able to tell what this narrative is trying to teach you: you will be blessed when you are in need. But because God is not a wish dispensary, there are occasions when prayers will go unanswered. God's dispensary is karmic. It distributes whatever is coming to you, but it may not give what you want and ask for. 

"Do children deserve to suffer?" you ask. Although you might not agree with this response, I never was one to mince words. When pain occurs, it is never uncalled for. This is the response: "Explain how an innocent child deserves to suffer!" To obtain a clear and persuasive explanation I would need to investigate their previous lives. It might seem reasonable to argue that a child's suffering is unjust. A youngster is too little to have caused affliction to others. That soul, however, could have lived hundreds or thousands of lives. It is OK for those who do not believe in karma to reject this response. You do not have to believe it is oxygen you are breathing to breath it, either!

Some see karma as a thin pretext for an imaginary God. Well, then, keep on with the belief that there is no creator and no karmic system. Karma is not slowed in the least, and God smiles at objections because breaking the law, even if ignorant of the law, will not remove the consequences. Others ask why God punishes at all if He is love. What happens to a youngster who never receives reprimands? If its acts have no repercussions, does its character develop well or isn't it a spoilt brat that becomes an unbearable adult? We are held responsible for our actions so that we can develop and become model students.

Karma is real, my dear friends, and it haunts us until the day we die; even beyond. By beyond, I mean after death. Our actions follow us into the afterlife in the same way that you carry a bag on a well-earned vacation. Your name appears on the baggage as it rotates in the luggage carousel, but you might not want to claim it since it contains unwanted items. You quickly pass the carousel on your way to Heaven. However, your baggage is waiting for you. "I can't bring this!" is what you think in a panic. "Heaven will not accept me." After stepping around it, your luggage is again waiting for you. Karma is yours and you can't escape it. Eventually you'll need to break it all down and describe what's within. Yes, our actions haunt us on the other side. We have to learn to take responsibility for our baggage. Life after life, your bag will be waiting for you, and you keep it with you until it is empty. Once dispensed with, you will no longer be burdened, which means you will stop incarnating and be able to relax and have fun.

Karmic cycles: how long do they last? Until you've learned the lesson. What do you learn? To accept accountability and to discover who you are. At first glance this seems simple. You would answer sarcastically, "I always take responsibility for myself." Should we question others about your honesty and transparency? How would they respond? On the other side the truth has been recorded and is played back to you, so you don't need to question yourself or anybody else. This should inspire you to live a more enlightened life since you know that karma will be carried over from one incarnation to the next. 

You see, God can punish people without your assistance. They are not getting away with it, despite the appearance that they are. Not at all. All they are doing is postponing the inevitable. They believe the luggage will vanish if they walk around it. Consequently, make an effort to accept accountability for both your positive and negative actions. To lessen karma, one can apologize. It's an indication of humility. If you have a difficult time apologizing, you are pretending. People would want to act as though they are not the issue. And, if they so want, they may continue living in denial forever. But who wants to live in a never-ending circle of suffering for all eternity? 

This letter serves as a reminder that eventually you must face the consequences of your actions. It's like a kid who stole chocolates. It tasted really sweet, and the store owner had no idea. Now, the business owner might not suspect. However, part of the candy remains in the child's pocket, and something will happen in his next life to level the score--perhaps something will be taken from him. I believe that honesty is the best policy; be honest with yourself and put things right when you can. If you try to make things right but your apology or attempt to reconcile is denied then you are free. You have removed the mark against you. 

You cannot keep karma from accumulating, that is part of life. As long as you are in a body, karma will be nipping at your heels. Simply become more self-aware. Examine your deeds and motives. When you find a crack in your foundation, seek to repair it. If you pretend it is not there, karma will make note of it for later. I have simplified these concepts of spiritual laws so you can conceptualize them because simple is good. Simple is me. The truth is always simple, and I have always loved telling the truth.

With Love,

Frida